SAMSON’S SSS #: 3- LOST GOD’S PRESENCE BECAUSE OF SIN

09- 30- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Judges 16:18- 21)

SAMSON’S SSS #: 3- LOST GOD’S PRESENCE BECAUSE OF SIN

And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

Have you ever had that experience? You can’t feel the presence of God in your life. Samson dishonor God by not pleasing the Lord who gave him the strength. Samson was brought down to his lowest point. He was humbled by the Lord because of his sin. I believe that Samson repented of the sins he committed and as a result, in verse 22, it appears like Samson was reconciled to God and in the process of time, his Nazariteship or his vow as a Nazarite was beginning to return as his hair began to grow. “Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.” Those were the days when Samson began to feel the presence of God again. In verse 30- “And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.” So, when Samson prayed to God for strength; God granted his prayer and got his strength back. Samson destroyed the whole house full of people. If you will have your last words on your death bed or if you would want to leave a will or have your last prayer; I’m very much sure it will not be like this in verse 28- “And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.”

Looks like Samson would rather die than live in blindness, used for fun and let the enemies make a sport out of him. He became the enemies’ instrument for their own pleasure and an instrument to dishonor God and give honor to their god Dagon. Samson was a loser, but he did not want to die a loser so he prayed for God’s help and blessing. At least in his last breathed, he died praying and standing against the enemy of God. Take the advice of Apostle Paul: (I Corinthians 15: 57- 58) 57- “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58- “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

SAMSON’S SSS #: 2- HE LIVED IN SUFFERING

09- 29-10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Judges 16: 19- 20)

SAMSON’S SSS #: 2- HE LIVED IN SUFFERING

19- ”And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. 20- And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.”

Samson suffered in living under the hands of his enemies and the enemies of God- the Philistines. Samson suffered in living a defeated life. The enemies made fun of him and used him for their own pleasures. And Satan can do the same to us Christians. (Judges 16: 25) “And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.” Samson also lived in blindness after the enemies took off his 2 eyes. The Philistines knew that if Samson would be blind, they can control him and they don’t have to live in fear of Samson’s getting back on them. If you would just think of how the devil operates and how they works. I wish everyone would see the big pictures on how the devil made billions of followers by blinding the spiritual eyes of the world. Samson lost control over his own life because he was blind. Billions of People all over the world lost control of their lives, of their family, of their business, of their spiritual life and you can think of millions of things that causes blindness in our lives. Money, Power, Position and Possession can cause spiritual blindness. What happened to Samson is happening to this present generation. Samson suffered and lived a defeated life because of blindness. In verse 21 is really a bad picture of a man who was once the strongest, powerful, Godly and a family man. Now check out what happened to him as he suffered in the hands of the enemies: They: “took him”, “put out his eyes”, “and brought him down…”, “bound him” and “…he grind in the prison house.”

(Judges 16: 21) “But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.”

AS LONG AS OUR PRAYER IS UNTO THE LORD

09- 28- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Psalm 69: 13)

AS LONG AS OUR PRAYER IS UNTO THE LORD

“But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.”

How often, how long, how sincere, how earnest, how do you pray? Those are some of the questions people asked. Others are so conscious of their physical position when they pray or as they pray. God is more interested in our inside attitude than with our outside expression in prayer.

Hannah went up to the house of the Lord… and she wept. It was when Hannah was praying for a son. (I Samuel 1: 7; 10) 7- “And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. 10- And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.”

Apostle Paul has a different way of praying, he has different desires and requests to God (Romans 1: 9- 10) 9- “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10- Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.”

 King David has a different story when it comes to prayer- David prayed for his enemies and he prayed constantly as well. (Psalms 55:16-17) 16- “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. 17- Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”

As for King Solomon, he has a different story. His desire and prayer requests were so different from other kings, prophets and servants of God including the rulers and soldiers of God. (II Chronicles 1: 7- 12) 7- “In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. 8- And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast showed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. 9- Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. 10- Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? 11- And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: 12- Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.”

SAMSON’S LOVE LIFE WERE NOT HEALTHY

09- 26- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Judges 16: 23- 31)

SAMSON’S LOVE LIFE WERE NOT HEALTHY

Samson was a Nazarite while Jesus was a Nazarene. There were only 3 people in the whole Bible that were called Nazarite which would be John, Samuel and Samson. (Judges 16: 17) “  That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.”

What leads Samson to give God his causeless death wish? What was the cause of Samson’s miseries, grief and causeless life and prayers? What made him so mad and miserable? In (Proverbs 6: 32-33) “But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. 33- A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.” Adultery and choosing the wrong life partner (Judges 14: 1- 4; 16: 4). Samson loved the wrong woman, the unbeliever and the wife of the uncircumcised philistines, in verse 3- “Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.” He married a woman with a wrong purpose. He married a woman according to his fleshly desire. Samson said to his father: “Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.” Samson made a big mistake and committed sin when he went in unto harlot. (Judges 16: 1) “Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.” And then he felt in love with another woman- this time it was Delilah. (Judges 16: 4) “And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.” Samson was idle. It means that he was not doing anything. He was just chatting with Delilah. I like Facebook and I like email and the Internet. These are some of the good stuffs that we have and we really all enjoy the good thing about Internet and chatting. I believe that they’re a blessing to this present generation, but it could cause a lot of problems. Samson lost his moral value after wasting so much of his time by chatting with Delilah. He was idle, got tempted, he grabbed the temptation and he fell into sin. Does it sound familiar to many of your friends? If you’re a victim of Satan’s temptation to idleness and for not being a good steward of your time; try to ask the Lord to forgive you and make a big U-Turn. Keep yourself busy for the Lord.

Samson also listened to the voice of the enemy. Satan can use anyone, even the closest person in your life including your family circle. Satan can put words in the lips of your friends and love ones to destroy you and to cause you to fall in your faith and relationship with God. (Judges 16: 5- 6) 5- “And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver. 6- And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.”

WE ARE FOOL FOR CHRIST’S SAKE, BECAUSE WE BELIEVE ON THE GOSPEL FOR OUR SALVATION.

09-25-10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Proverbs 1:5-7)

by Ely R. Sagansay on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 9:35pm

09-25-10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Proverbs 1:5-7)

WE ARE FOOL FOR CHRIST’S SAKE, BECAUSE WE BELIEVE ON THE GOSPEL FOR OUR SALVATION.

“5- A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6- To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

 (I Corinthians 15:1-5; 1:21) In verses 3 and 4 it says: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4- And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

What is the definition or the meaning of the word “Gospel”? Paul defined Gospel as the Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures. Believing on what Christ did on the cross 2,000 years ago for eternal life is foolishness to the unbelieving world. In (Ephesians 2:8-9) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9- Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Believing in Christ for eternal life sounds impossible for many. But that’s what the Bible says… It was because of the finished work of Christ. We don’t have to make it hard for ourselves. We don’t have to work hard and focus on what we can do or must do, because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary is the only resolution to our sin problem and for our salvation.

(Romans 1: 19-21) 19- “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20- For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21- Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

People sometimes could not fully understand the power of the Gospel which is the Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Romans 1: 21-22) “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22- Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23- And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”

YOUR HOLY AND ACCEPTABLE SERVICE

09-24-10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (ROMANS 12:1- 2)

YOUR HOLY AND ACCEPTABLE SERVICE

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2- And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

I know of some Christians who would pray like this, “Lord, here’s my life, take it because I’m willing to die for you.” OR “whatever God wants me to do, I’m willing to follow and risks my life even to the danger zones of this life… because I’m willing to die for Christ’s sake.” But Christ wants for us to love Him and live for Him and not to die for His sake. A soldier may go to war, but he’s not going to war to die for His Country but to protect, to obey and be truthful, faithful in his duty… As a soldier of Christ, we are here to do more than that. We are to live in His name and be faithful for His sake. (Galatians 2:20) “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

We are crucified with Christ… as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ this is one good picture of the believer’s mysterious life and standing before God and man. A believer is crucified, yet he live, and he live, yet not him but Christ…

So you live for Christ and not die for Him. You are crucified… you crucify the old men…with Christ and you will live by faith… “Serving God does not mean you ought to be willing to die for Him but to live for Him.” ERS

God will honor our holy life, our righteousness for His name’s sake and our sacrifices. It means that God will accept our offering, service and our labor of love for Him. God wanted us to live a fruitful and useful life. He wants for us to start right and accordingly. It is the Lord’s desire for us to end in a right way or to end in a right path. Success for me in the ministry is starting right, keep on doing what is right and end up right. You may have heard of Pastors and Ministries that started right, working and doing right, but in the process of time; unfortunately end up in the wrong way or wrong direction. Paul’s advice: (II Timothy 4: 5- 8) 5- “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6- For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7- I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8- Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

AS GOD’S STEWARDS

09- 23- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (I Corinthians 4: 1- 2)

AS GOD’S STEWARDS

1- “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2- Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

There’s a big difference between the blessings and the things you acquired by your own strength or you acquired in the flesh. Take note of what king Solomon says about having God’s blessing. (Proverbs 10:22) “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”

We can either work for money or work for God. We can also work to be a blessing or work hard and still put more burdens in our life or in our home. It’s an issue about how we express our love and devotion for Christ. (Matthew 6:24) “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Christ talked about this love, treasures and expression of our devotion in the Book of Matthew. (Matthew 6: 19- 21) “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20- But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21- For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

We are God’s steward or manager of the time, treasures and talents. God entrusted to us our family, fame and fortune. God placed before us our future, friends and filled. (I Peter 4: 10- 11) 10- “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11- If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. “

Even in little things and on things that seems to be of no value, God wants us to be faithful on it. (Luke 19: 16- 17) 16- “Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.  17- And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.” Do you ever remember this phrase, “Little is much when God is in it.”

It’s not about how much talents and treasures you have. It’s not about how rich or poor you are. It’s not even how good, knowledgeable and how many Master’s Degree or PHD’s you have. It’s about your heart for God and how you have everything for the Lord and for His sakes and Glory. Check out on what the richest and wisest man that ever lived said in the Book of Proverbs:

(Proverbs 15:16-17) 16- “Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17- Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.”

THE LORD WHO HEALS

09- 23- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Exodus 15: 26)

THE LORD WHO HEALS

“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.”

I can honestly say that physical sickness is my worst enemy, but by the grace of God; sickness was used by God as my stepping stone to my spiritual growth. Sometimes God used sickness so He can humble us to teach us to trust Him and love Him more. We have read over and over in the Bible how the Lord has healed people who were sick physically. God used sickness so He can magnify His name in us and through us. God also used sickness to get our attention when we’re so busy, play blind on our sin and carelessness and when we procrastinate. One of the most suspenseful and dramatic conversation during the time of Moses was when God called an emergency meeting with Moses, Miriam and Aaron. (Numbers 12: 4- 6) 4- “And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. 5- And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. 6- And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.”

The Lord was angry against Miriam and Aaron because of their attitude toward Moses the servant of the Lord. In (Numbers 12: 10-11) tells us that God made Miriam sick with leprosy.  And it was because of her sin. In verse 10- “And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. 11- And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.”

The leprosy was a disease often inflicted by the immediate hand of God as the punishment of some particular sin, as on Gehazi for lying, on Uzziah for invading the priest’s office, and here on Miriam for scolding and making mischief among relations. (Henry Complete,The Bible Collection)

Meriam was humbled by God through her sickness and the same God who humbled her, healed her. Moses humbled himself before the Lord in behalf of Meriam,

(Numbers 12: 13) “And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.”

(Deuteronomy 32: 39) “See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.”

GOD IS PLEASED FOR OUR LABOR OF LOVE

09- 22-10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Daniel 3: 16- 18)

GOD IS PLEASED FOR OUR LABOR OF LOVE

16- “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17- If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18- But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

What happened to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego reminds me of the boy who came to me about his family. He was sharing to me about his family and how he felt rejected. These 3 men were cast into the fiery furnace. They were rejected and ejected as commanded by king Nebuchadnezzar.

The Lord heard the prayer of His people and He accepted them. God accepts us as we are. God answered the prayers of His children in spite of the people’s opposition to their cause and they stood for the Lord our God. God accepted us for our salvation. God accepted us in spite of our suffering and pain. Those who go through trials, suffering or pain will not make them less spiritual Christians. The Lord by His grace accepted us in His family with His unconditional love. God accepted us in our weakness and when we have no strength. (Romans 5: 6) “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” God accepts our service of love. We serve the Lord God Almighty. (John 12: 26) “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” Serving the Lord is an opportunity and actually a great privilege. The Lord someday will reward us in our labor of love. God will reward us in our love for the lost. (Daniel 12: 2- 3) 2- “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3- And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” King Nebuchadnezzar took them to the judgment hall and to the fiery burning furnace. They were demoted, pressured, oppress and persecuted. They suffered in spite of their faithful service for our Lord. These 3 faithful Jews were rewarded evil for their goodness, faithfulness and service for God. (Daniel 3: 12) “There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” The Lord will not forget our labor of love for Him and for our fellowmen especially those who are of the household of faith. (Hebrews 13:160- “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Galatians 6: 10) “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

God was there when they suffered, labor and work hard for the cause of the Lord and in standing for what is right and the truth of God. Paul encouraging words for us Christians in (I Thessalonians 1: 3)- “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”

GOD IS PLEASED FOR OUR LABOR OF LOVE

09- 22-10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Daniel 3: 16- 18)

GOD IS PLEASED FOR OUR LABOR OF LOVE

16- “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17- If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18- But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

What happened to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego reminds me of the boy who came to me about his family. He was sharing to me about his family and how he felt rejected. These 3 men were cast into the fiery furnace. They were rejected and ejected as commanded by king Nebuchadnezzar.

The Lord heard the prayer of His people and He accepted them. God accepts us as we are. God answered the prayers of His children in spite of the people’s opposition to their cause and they stood for the Lord our God. God accepted us for our salvation. God accepted us in spite of our suffering and pain. Those who go through trials, suffering or pain will not make them less spiritual Christians. The Lord by His grace accepted us in His family with His unconditional love. God accepted us in our weakness and when we have no strength. (Romans 5: 6) “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” God accepts our service of love. We serve the Lord God Almighty. (John 12: 26) “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” Serving the Lord is an opportunity and actually a great privilege. The Lord someday will reward us in our labor of love. God will reward us in our love for the lost. (Daniel 12: 2- 3) 2- “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3- And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” King Nebuchadnezzar took them to the judgment hall and to the fiery burning furnace. They were demoted, pressured, oppress and persecuted. They suffered in spite of their faithful service for our Lord. These 3 faithful Jews were rewarded evil for their goodness, faithfulness and service for God. (Daniel 3: 12) “There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” The Lord will not forget our labor of love for Him and for our fellowmen especially those who are of the household of faith. (Hebrews 13:160- “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Galatians 6: 10) “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

God was there when they suffered, labor and work hard for the cause of the Lord and in standing for what is right and the truth of God. Paul encouraging words for us Christians in (I Thessalonians 1: 3)- “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”

THE ANCIENT WAR IN IRAQ

09- 19- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Daniel 3: 3; 7)

THE ANCIENT WAR IN IRAQ

3- Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 7- Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Babel was first mention in (Genesis 11: 9) “Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.” Babylon means Confusion. It was in this place where men tried to reach heaven by their own means. The Babylonians tried to make and start their own man- made religion. Iraq is the ancient Babylon. It was in ancient Babylon where God showed men that He is the ruling God. He rules in the heart of men and He rules in the kingdom of men. God is in control of everything. He just allows men to use their human power and wisdom to rule a Country or a kingdom. (I Chronicles 29: 11) “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.” (Psalm 31:5) and (Luke 1: 68) “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,” (Galatians 3: 13) “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” He is the God who redeem and He redeemed us from death and sin. God redeemed us from the punishment of Hell and from hopelessness. God also redeemed us from the hands of the enemy. He redeemed us from the hand of our own king which is selfishness and greed. He is the God who able to restore us. God is able to restore the broken relationship that we have. He is the only one who can restore any marred or broken relationship. It could be with your husband/wife, children, parents, friends, church or Pastor. God is also able to restore the backslidden soldier/s of God. Anyone who had drifted from the faith can be restored by His grace and by the Blood of the Lamb. (Nehemiah 5: 11) “Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.” God is able to restore our strength from weakness and being powerless. Check out the testimony of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: (Daniel 3: 17) (Psalm 95: 3) “For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4- In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. 5- The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. 6- O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”

Work At Home

09- 18- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (I Timothy 1: 4-7)
WORK AT HOME
4- “One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5- (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6- Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7- Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
Here in the USA, work at home is one of the common words for common people. Who wants to get up early in the morning, struggle with the traffic and sometimes with the reckless, dangerous, discourteous traffic violators on the road anyways? People would rather stay at home and work at home as much as possible rather than being in the office or workplace. The question is, how do you work at home in terms of taking care of your own home or family? What is the foundation of your home? People would sometimes think that having a beautiful home with fireplace two and a half car garage, beautiful lawn and all the gadgets inside the house will make it a happy and stable HOME. The foundation of our home must be based on something heavenly, spiritual and strong.

God- must come first.

(Matthew 6: 33)
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
The Bible:
(Joshua 1: 8)
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

The Word of God should be our guide, our source of knowledge and wisdom. The Word of God should be our Map and our Path. We need faith in the Lord our God. We need faith and we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit which I believe is very important. We must be conscious of the leading and working of the Holy Spirit of God. Let’s ponder on what the writer of the Book of Hebrews says about faith and I know this will really help us in our walk with Him and how we can have it WORK AT HOME.

(Hebrews 11: 1-3; 6)
1- “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2- For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3- Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
6- But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”